Tanzania : Evangelists Acquitted

A court acquitted two Tanzanian evangelists of “illegal preaching,” according to Compass Direct News.

The evangelists, Eleutery Kobelo and Cecil Simbaulanga, were arrested in October 2009 after Muslims invited them to participate in a religious debate. The evangelists said that on the day of the debate, the Muslims arrived with government security agents. The government agents then charged the evangelists with “using religious sermons to incite Muslims and Christians into viewing each other with suspicion.”

The Muslims claimed that the evangelists’ gospel message had annoyed Muslims, disrupting the peaceful coexistence between the two faiths. During 10 months of hearings, the Muslims reportedly failed to show up in court to support their allegations against the evangelists. “We are grateful that the court has done justice and made its ruling based on Tanzania’s constitution that allows for freedom of religion and assembly,” Eleutery said. “We thank the Christians worldwide for praying for us.”

Praise God that these Christians have been acquitted. Pray that Eleutery, Cecil and believers throughout Tanzania will trust fully in Christ and continue to preach the gospel without hesitation.